title: Effect of preconceptional metformin on abortion risk in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of pregestational metformin administration on abortion risk in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review and meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women affected by PCOS receiving pregestational metformin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to June 2008 and subsequent meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Abortion rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen RCTs were included in the final analysis. Overall, no effect of the metformin administration was detected on the abortion risk. No statistically significant effect of metformin on the abortion risk was observed in any comparison when subgrouping the RCTs according to received treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Metformin has no effect on the abortion risk in PCOS patients when administered before pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Italy. stefanopalomba@tin.it
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palomba
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falbo
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Orio
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zullo
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D047489:Preconception Injuries; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin